Jos Buttler also made 45 to keep England in a strong position after they bowled India out for 148 on the opening day.

There was a brace of wickets apiece for Varun Aaron, Ishant Sharma and Ravichandran Ashwin as India enjoyed a strong middle session only for Root, Buttler and Chris Jordan (19 not out) to fight back after tea.

Bhuvneshwar Kumar also took a wicket, having Chris Woakes caught behind for nought.

Sam Robson fell early when he was bowled by Aaron for 37, Ian Bell was caught behind off Sharma for seven and Moeen Ali bowled by Ashwin for 14 but India could not capitalise.

Root hit nine fours and one six offering India no chances during his knock, unlike, who was twice dropped in the slips before he was finally snapped up by Murali Vijay off Aaron.

Ballance made 64 in 117 balls before pushing Ashwin straight into the hands of Cheteshwar Pujara at silly point at Ashwin.

After India removed Cook, Ballance, Bell and Ali in quick succession as England lost four wickets for 38 runs, they were knocked back thanks to Root and Buttler adding 80 runs in a counter-attacking sixth-wicket partnership.

Then, after Buttler flicked Sharma to Ashwin at short mid-wicket and Woakes gave Dhoni a leg-side catch, Root combined with Jordan to add 67 in 62 balls to take advantage of a tiring Indian attack towards the end of the day.